Third Coast Training Center Classes
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Comprised of teachers who have lived, performed, and taught comedy all over the country the Third Coast Training Center exists to cultivate well-rounded, highly-trained performers in the areas of improv, sketch, and stand-up.
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Overview
If you have any questions please email the training center or call (615) 745-1009 for more information.
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Classes goes out a few times each session; Shows and News roughly once a week. |
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To view Unscripted courses, including Improv for Anxiety, visit Unscripted Improv's website.
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LEVEL 1 - THE FUNDAMENTALS
Prerequisite: No Experience Necessary Start Date: January 5th Times: Sundays, 12:00-3:00 PM Instructor: Allison Summers No experience is necessary to learn the foundational ideas of listening, agreement, and shared construction that make improvisation so much fun to watch and perform. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
LEVEL 1 - THE FUNDAMENTALS
Prerequisite: No Experience Necessary Start Date: January 6th Times: Mondays, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: Matt Jackson No experience is necessary to learn the foundational ideas of listening, agreement, and shared construction that make improvisation so much fun to watch and perform. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
LEVEL 2 - THE SCENE
Prerequisite: Lvl 1/commensurate exp. Start Date: January 6th Times: Mondays, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: Molly Kemp Deep dive into character work, scene mechanics, and in particular, acting. Grounded, well-acted scene work provides the context for finding, exploring, and heightening patterns. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
LEVEL 2 - THE SCENE
Prerequisite: Lvl 1/commensurate exp. Start Date: January 14th Times: Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: Mike Garvin Deep dive into character work, scene mechanics, and in particular, acting. Grounded, well-acted scene work provides the context for finding, exploring, and heightening patterns. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
LEVEL 3 - THE PIECE
Prerequisite: Lvl 2/commensurate exp. Start Date: January 7th Times: Tuesdays 6:30-9:30 Instructor: Patrick Shaffner Once the basics are introduced we’ll want to move into group play as it’s part of what makes improvisation so electric. Give and take, balance, tempo, repetition, the discovery and constant unfurling of the moment; the stuff that might very well take you out of your comfort zone (which is ok). 📅 This class will have a Showcase Friday, February 28 at 6:30 PM. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
LEVEL 4 - FORMS
Prerequisite: Level 3 Start Date: January 7 Times: Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 Instructor: Scott Elam The forms studied will incorporate all aspects of the training so far, in particular themes, patterns, and group work. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
LEVEL 5 - THE HAROLD Prerequisite: Level 4 Start Date: TBD Times: TBD, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: TBD Harold is widely considered a crown jewel of long form improvisation. It weaves together all of the skills a long form improviser acquires during their training and manages to be both strikingly simple and complex. THIS CLASS IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE 
LEVEL 6 - PERFORMANCE Prerequisite: Level 5 Start Date: TBD Times: TBD, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: TBD Part workshop, part performance this class runs for 8 weeks as you develop a long-form of choice. Over the last four weeks, you also perform your piece. The performances take place in front of your friends, family, and strangers! THIS CLASS IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE REGISTRATION IS BY INVITATION ONLY EMAIL trainingcenter@thirdcoastcomedyclub.com if you have previously completed level 5 and need access to sign up. Include the name of your level 5 instructor in the email! |
INTRO TO SHORT-FORM Prerequisite: Level 2 Start Date: TBD Times: Sundays, 12:00-3:00 PM Instructor: Bill Hillsman Students will explore the world of short-form improv, well-defined games that provide a structure to improvise within. Scenic, narrative, timed-based, guessing, the list goes on. Short-form builds on the fundamentals learned and helps in honing specific skills. Always a crowd-pleaser this level will include a showcase. 📅 The class has a showcase CLASS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. 
SHORT-FORM 2
Prerequisite: Intro to Short Form Start Date: January 5 Times: Sundays, 12:00-3:00 Instructor: Bill Hillsman Students will dive deeper into the world of short-form improv, exploring heightened levels of game and the keys to successful hosting. Expand your bank of games while developing a stronger understanding of short and long-form alike! This level will include a showcase. 📅 This class will have a Showcase Saturday, February 29 at 5:30 PM REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
CLOWN for IMPROVISERS
Prerequisite: Level 2 Start Date: January 8 Times: Wednesdays, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: Joel Axelrod There's no red noses, big shoes, or face paint in this class. Instead, participants explore the key elements of clowning that lead to a more dynamic performance: vulnerability, connection with audience, spontaneity, commitment, and the joy of failure. REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
MUSICAL IMPROV 1 Prerequisite: Level 3 + instructor recommendation Start Date: January Times: Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: Mark Neglia Designed to raise the student’s comfort level while performing improvised songs. Emphasis is on phrasing, song structure, heightened emotional commitment, background support, and song styles. THIS CLASS IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE EMAIL mark@thirdcoastcomedyclub.com Provide Mark with the names of your two previous Training Center instructors! 
MUSICAL IMPROV 2
Prerequisite: MI 1 + instructor reco. Start Date: October 15 Times: Tuesdays, 6:30-9:30 PM Instructor: Mark Neglia By invitation only. The entire 8 weeks will be dedicated to learning how to improvise a full one act musical. Emphasis is on the structural elements of musical theater as well as functions and placement of specific song types within a musical. Upon the conclusion of the 8 weeks, the class will mount a weekly or bi-weekly production on the Third Coast Comedy Club stage. 📅 This class has a 6-week performance run. 📅 Show Dates: TBD THIS CLASS IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE EMAIL mark@thirdcoastcomedyclub.com 
HIGH SCHOOL IMPROV
Prerequisite: Must be a HS Student Start Date: TBD Times: TBD Instructor: TBD Third Coast Comedy Club puts together a team of high school players assembled from all over greater Metro Nashville to perform in two shows at a professional comedy club! The group meets for eight practices in a fun, supportive environment. The class utilizes theatre games, scene work, and group exercises to teach the fundamentals of improvisational acting. Students learn to listen closely, create characters, build scenes, and invent stories while working as a team. Beyond comedic applications, students are taught to relax and react on stage, develop more positive, open frames of mind, and strengthen leadership and communication skills. ⚠️ Cost: $175 ⚠️ This is a 6-week class 📅 This class has a Showcase THIS CLASS IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE |
INTRO TO STAND-UP Prerequisite: No Experience Necessary Start Date: January 5th Times: Sundays, 7:00-9:00 PM Instructor: Sean Parrott Ever wanted to learn what it takes to work out your original ideas and turn them into a polished stand-up set? This class will teach you the basics and structure to develop your ideas into stand-up content, performance styles and technique, finding your voice on stage, and more! The class consists of regularly performing your written material with the goal of refinement through constructive feedback. ⚠️ This is a 6-week class 📅 This class has a Showcase Friday, February 14 at 6:30 PM REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER 
STAND-UP 2
Prerequisite: Intro to Stand-up Start Date: January 9th Times: Thursdays, 7:00-9:00 PM Instructor: Mark Anundson Build upon your stand-up skills with further development on finding your voice, set creation, performance, and the business side of comedy. Throughout the course you will perform in front of panels of several stand-up comics who will give feedback and offer discussion of helpful tips, tricks, and advice. ⚠️ This is a 6-week class 📅 This class has a showcase, Friday, February 21 at 6:30 PM REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER |